University of South Alabama

Subject: H1N1 (swine flu) update for USA faculty, staff and students From: Dr. Ronald Franks, Vice President for Health Sciences and Chairman, USA H1N1/swine flu preparation committee October 28, 2009 In our continuing efforts to keep you informed on the H1N1 virus, we are sending you this latest update. We have been told by Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) that we should not expect our first shipment of H1N1 vaccine until mid-November. In fact, it could be several more weeks, potentially into December, before we would receive our entire supply. It is not clear at this time how much vaccine we will receive in the initial shipment. Therefore, when the first shipments of vaccine do arrive it will be distributed to those who are at highest risk. The groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine first, through the University of South Alabama H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinics, include:

Caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age

Healthcare personnel

All people from 6 months through 24 years of age

Pregnant women and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications will be asked to go directly to their physician’s office.

According to state and national health officials, the best defenses against contracting or spreading seasonal or H1N1 flu include practicing good hygiene and avoiding contact with those who have contracted it. For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Students should seek medical assistance through the Student Health Center if you have flu symptoms such as fever, coughing, fatigue, stomach distress, etc., while faculty, staff and their families can be served by USA Urgent Care.

Student services: students residing in on-campus housing and using a University meal plan may get assistance with their food needs if they are ill. For more information, contact your resident adviser.

Student absenteeism: Students who contract flu-like symptoms are encouraged to avoid coming to class and spreading the virus to others. Students should isolate themselves until they've been without a fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Faculty members will be supportive and use discretion in helping these students with make-up work. Student services: students residing in on-campus housing and using a University meal plan may get assistance with their food needs if they are ill. For more information, contact your resident adviser. Pandemic plan: The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for a pandemic plan should the flu outbreak become widespread and disrupt normal university operations. Any changes in normal University operations will be widely publicized, well in advance. Official updates: official information regarding all elements of USA’s response to H1N1/swine flu will be distributed through the normal weather and emergency notification procedures. They are:

USA also provides information to the news media, but always verify with one of the official sources above for the most accurate information.

Here are some more sources of information on swine flu and its prevention:

USA Student Heath Center ( http://www.southalabama.edu/studenthealth/)Flu.gov (official U.S. government site).Alabama Department of Public Health (adph.org) We will continue to keep you informed as we receive more information on the arrival of the H1N1 vaccine and the distribution process.